Debris collecting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A rotatable compression roller or drum is disposed within a housing for compressing debris, which may be collected from a lawn, for example. The roller or drum is formed of a plurality of sections having a circular configuration and a hollow center. Each section has a plurality of arcuate segments spaced from each other to form openings therebetween to receive blades, which are equally angularly spaced from each other at each section, movable beyond and retracted within the periphery of the roller or drum during rotation of the roller or drum with the maximum blade extension occurring 180* from the maximum blade retraction. The arcuate segments of each section are offset with respect to the arcuate segments of adjacent sections by an amount equal to one half of the angle between adjacent blades cooperating with the openings of each section. The positions of maximum extension and maximum retraction of the blades are adjustable to insure that maximum retraction occurs prior to the rotation of the blade from a compression chamber in the housing and to compensate for wear of the blades. A unique method of assembling the compression roller or drum is employed.

United States Patent [191 Doering 1 Dec. 16, 1975 1 DEBRIS COLLECTING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Charles W. Doering, Clarksville,

Ind.

[73] Assignee: Brinly-Hardy Co., Inc., Louisville,

22 Filed: Nov. 26, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 418,898

Primary Examiner-Peter Feldman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Frank C. Leach, Jr.

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT A rotatable compression roller or drum is disposed within a housing for compressing debris, which may be collected from a lawn, for example. The roller or drum is formed of a plurality of sections having a circular configuration and a hollow center. Each section has a plurality of arcuate segments spaced from each other to form openings therebetween to receive blades, which are equally angularly spaced from each other at each section, movable beyond and retracted within the periphery of the roller or drum during rotation of the roller or drum with the maximum blade extension occurring 180 from the maximum blade retraction. The arcuate segments of each section are offset with respect to the arcuate segments of adjacent sections by an amount equal to one half of the angle between adjacent blades cooperating with the openings of each section. The positions of maximum extension and maximum retraction of the blades are adjustable to insure that maximum retraction occurs prior to the rotation of the blade from a compression chamber in the housing and to compensate for wear of the blades. A unique method of assembling the compression roller or drum is employed.

18 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures U.S. Patfint Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet10f3 3,926,108

FIG. 3

US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 3 of 3 FIG. 5

FIG.6

FIG. 7

DEBRIS COLLECTING APPARATUS In my copending application for Debris Collecting Apparatus," Ser. No. 268,064. filed June 30, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,849,043. there is shown an apparatus for picking up debris and then compressing the debris prior to the debris being supplied to a collecting bag. The apparatus includes a rotatably mounted compression roller or drum having a series of circumferentially spaced orifices through the cylindrical surface thereof with fins or blades movable in and out of the orifices by a fixed crankshaft during rotation of the roller or drum.

The precise positioning of the orifices in the compression roller of my aforesaid application to receive the fins is relatively expensive. The present invention is an improvement of the apparatus of my aforesaid application through utilizing an arrangement in which easy assembly of the compression drum at a relatively low cost is obtained. The present invention accomplishes this through forming the compression roller or drum of a plurality of sections with each section comprising a plurality of similar arcuate segments or portions. By making all of the arcuate segments similar, the cost of production for these arcuate segments is reduced.

Furthermore, through the design of the arcuate segments, a wiping action is obtained by a surface of each of the arcuate segments engaging the cooperating blade during its retraction within the periphery of the roller or drum. This wiping action removes any debris from the blade, which has adhered thereto.

It has been found that precise positioning of the locations at which maximum extension and retraction of each of the blades occurs is desirable. This is because the blade should be fully retracted prior to passing beneath a divider in the housing as the blade exits from the compression chamber during its rotation. If the blade is not retracted within the periphery of the drum at this time, the possibility of jamming of debris at the divider exists. While this allows a smaller amount of debris to possibly escape from the compression chamber, this debris is returned to the compression chamber during further rotation of the drum.

The present invention meets this requirement of controlling the position of maximum retraction of each of the blades through utilizing a control arrangement in which the position of maximum throw or eccentricity of the crankshaft, which has the blades mounted thereon, is controlled. This position of maximum throw or eccentricity of the crankshaft is 180 from the position of maximum retraction of each of the blades so that controlling the position of maximum extension of the blades through regulating the position of maximum throw or eccentricity of the crankshaft results in controlling the position of maximum retraction of each of the blades.

Furthermore, by the use of this control arrangement, adjustment can be made for wear of the blades. That is, as the blades wear, the diameter of the rotary path of their tips decreases so that adjustment should be made to obtain maximum extension at the desired location within the housing of the apparatus for maximum efficiency. The shifting of the maximum throw or eccentricity of the crankshaft by the control arrangement does not present any problem with respect to the maximum retraction of the blade since the wear on the blade results in the blade being retracted further into the roller or drum. Thus, the blade will be fully re- 2 tracted within the drum as the blade passes beneath the divider in the housing.

An object of this invention is to provide a debris compression unit.

Another object of this invention is to provide an arrangement for adjusting the maximum retraction and extension of the blades of a debris compression unit.

Other objects of this invention will be readily perceived from the following description, claims, and drawings.

This invention relates to a debris compression unit for use in a debris compression apparatus including a rotatable hollow drum having a plurality of sections with each of the sections having an outer circular configuration and a hollow center. Crankshaft means. which is fixed during rotation of the drum, extends through the hollow drum and has a plurality of blades supported thereon for extension beyond the periphery of the drum and retraction within the periphery of the drum during rotation of the drum. Each of the sections of the drum comprises a plurality of arcuate segments equal in number to the number of the blades supported on the crankshaft means at each of the sections. Each of the arcuate segments of each section is spaced from the arcuate segments adjacent thereto to form an opening therebetween to receive one of the blades for extension beyond the periphery of the drum and retraction within the periphery of the drum. Means secure the sections to each other to form the hollow drum.

This invention further relates to a debris collecting apparatus including a frame having wheels to support the frame and a housing supported by the frame. Compression means, which is disposed within the housing to compress debris received within the housing, includes a hollow cylindrical compression drum having a plurality of openings and a blade disposed within each of the openings. The compression means includes means to support the blades and the drum to cause rotation of the drum and the blades and to move each of the blades during each cycle of rotation so that each of the blades is retracted inwardly within the periphery of the drum through the opening and extended outwardly beyond the periphery of the drum through the opening. Each end of the supporting means is supported by the frame. Each end of the supporting means and the frame has cooperating means to control the angular position of the supporting means relative to the frame to determine the positions of maximum extension and retraction of each of the blades.

The attached drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a portion of a debris collecting apparatus having the debris compression unit of the present invention with the wheel, support rods, and a housing end plate removed for clarity purposes but with the wheel shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of the compression roller or drum of the debris compression unit of the present invention and taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the frame;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of one of the arcu- Qt segments of the compression roller or drum of the fent invention;

FIG 5 is a sectional view of the arcuate segment of FIG: 4 and taken along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the arcuate segment of FIG. 4 and taken along line 66 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the arcuate segment of FIG. 4 and taken along line 77 of FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a portion of a debris collecting apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 includes a frame or chassis 11 supporting a housing 12 between opposite sides 14 of the frame 11. The opposite sides 14 of the frame 11 have rotatably supported wheels 15 (one shown) so that the frame 1 1 may be pulled by a tractor, for example, as more particularly shown and described in my aforesaid patent application.

The housing 12 has a compression roller or drum 16 rotatably supported therein for rotation within the housing 12. The compression roller or drum l6 cooperates with a curved wall 17 of the housing 12 to form a compression chamber 18 therebetween.

The compression roller or drum 16 has a plurality of baldes or fins 19 extending through openings 20 in the periphery of the compression roller or drum 16 to advance debris, which is received within the housing 12, to a debris discharge outlet 21. The debris collecting apparatus 10 includes suitable pick-up means (not shown) such as the pick-up means shown and described in my aforesaid patent application, for example, to supply debris to the housing 12. The outlet 21 is adapted to receive a debris containing device such as a bag or hopper, for example, in which the debris is collected.

The compression roller or drum 16 comprises a plurality of connected sections 25 (see FIG. 2) having a circular configuration and a hollow center. Each of the sections 25 is formed of a plurality of arcuate segments or portions 26. The arcuate segments or portions 26, which are preferably formed of a molded plastic, have an outer curved surface 27 (see FIG. 4) and an inner curved surface 28. The outer curved surface 27 and the inner curved surface 28 are formed on radii having the center of rotation of the compression roller or drum 16 as their center. A curved surface 29 joins each end of the inner curved surface 28 with the outer curved surface 27.

A side wall 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 5-7) extends between the inner curved surface 28 and the outer curved surface 27 at one side thereof. A pair of ribs 31 (see FIG. 4) extends from the side wall 30 to the other side of each of the arcuate segments or portions 26.

Each of the ribs 31 has a hollow cylindrical element 32 disposed thereabove and extending from the side wall 30. Each of the cylindrical elements 32 has a longitudinal passage 33 (see FIG. 5) of circular cross section extending therethrough from the side wall 30 with the passage 33 defining a circular opening 34 (see FIGS. 1 and 5) in the side wall 30. The other end of the passage 33 in each of the cylindrical elements 32 at the side of the arcuate segment 26 opposite to that having the side wall 30 is closed by a circular button or boss 35, which protrudes beyond the side of the arcuate segment 26 as shown in FIG. 5 and is of slightly smaller diameter than the passage 33.

Longitudinal passages 36 (see FIG. 7), which are of circular cross section having the same diameter as the passages 33, are disposed at each end of the arcuate segment 26 adjacent the junction of the outer curved surface 27 and the connecting curved surface 29. Each of the passages 36 extends from the side wall 30 with the passage 36 defining a circular opening 37 (see FIGS. 1 and 7) in the side wall 30. The other end of each of the passages 36 at the side of the arcuate segment 26 opposite to that having the side wall 30 is closed by a circular button or boss 38, which protrudes beyond the side of the arcuate segment 26 as shown in FIG. 7. The button 38 is the same diameter as the button 35 and of slightly smaller diameter than the passage 36.

Longitudinal passages 39 (see FIG. 6), which are of circular cross section and have a larger diameter than the passages 33 and 36, are disposed between the outer curved surface 27 and the inner curved surface 28 between each of the passages 33 and the adjacent passage 36. Each of the passages 39 extends from the side wall 30 with the passage 39 defining a circular opening 40 (see FIGS. 1 and 6) in the side wall 30.

The other end of each of the passages 39 at the side of the arcuate segment 26 opposite to that having the side wall 30 is partially closed by a circular button or boss 41, which has a larger diameter than the buttons 35 and 38 and protrudes beyond the side of the arcuate segment or portion 26 as shown in FIG. 6. Each of the buttons 41, which are of slightly smaller diameter than the passages 39, has a passage 42, which is of smaller diameter than the passage 39, therein to provide a continuous passage through the arcuate segment 26. Thus, two continuous passages extend through the arcuate segment 26.

Accordingly, when the arcuate segments 26 of the adjacent sections 25 are disposed adjacent each other, the protruding buttons 35 and 38 of one of the adjacent sections 25 are disposed within the openings 34 and 37 of the other of the adjacent sections 25 while the protruding buttons 41 of one of the adjacent sections 25 fit within the openings 40 of the other of the adjacent sections 25. Because of offsetting of the arcuate segments 26 of one of the sections 25 with respect to the adjacent sections 25, the buttons 35 are disposed in the openings 37, and the buttons 38 are positioned in the openings 34. This produces an interlock between the adjacent sections 25.

The length of each of the arcuate segments or portions 26 of each of the sections 25 is selected so 'that there is a slight spacing between the outer ends of the adjacent segments or portions 26 of each of the sections 25 when the segments 26 of each of the sections 25 are assembled. These spacings form the openings 20 (see FIG. 1) in the periphery of the compression roller or drum 16 through which the blades 19 protrude.

Each of the sections 25 has a set of blades 19 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) formed by three of the blades 19, which have their portions at the periphery of the compression roller or drum 12 equally angularly spaced from each other. When three of the blades 19 form the set of blades, there are three of the arcuate segments or portions 26 forming the section 25. Since the number of the segments 26 at each of the sections 25 must equal the number of the blades 19 in the set, an increase or decrease in the number of the blades 19 in a set would cause a similar increase or decrease in the number of the arcuate segments or portions 26.

With the blades 19 of each of the sets being preferably offset with respect to the blades 19 of the adjacent sets, it is necessary for the arcuate segments 26 also to be offset by the same amount to provide the desired arrangement for the openings 20. Thus, if the blades 19 of the adjacent sections 25 are offset so that each of the blades 19 of one of the sections 25 is equally angularly disposed between two of the blades 19 of the adjacent section 25, then the arcuate segments 26 are offset from the arcuate segments 26 of the adjacent sections 25 an angular amount equal to half the angle between the adjacent blades 19 of the same set.

The blades 19 are supported on crankshaft means 45 (see FIG. 2). The crankshaft means 45 includes a pair of crankshafts 46 and 47 with each of the crankshafts 46 and 47 having its throw or eccentric portion 48 extending approximately one half of the length of the compression roller or drum 16. A hollow connector 49 receives the throw or eccentric portion 48 of the crankshafts 46 and 47 to maintain them in alignment. A bearing 50, which is preferably formed of polyvinyl chloride, fits over the hollow connector 49.

Each of the blades 19 includes a circular bearing portion 51, which slides over the bearing 50, and a flat portion 52, which extends through the opening in the periphery of the compression roller or drum 16 to advance the debris. The flat portions 52 of the three blades 19 comprising a set of the blades 19 for one of the sections are formed so that each has the same Width extending through the opening 20.

When the sections 25 of the compression roller or drum 16 are disposed adjacent each other with the arcuate segments 26 of the adjacent sections 25 offset with respect to each other, the longitudinal passages 39 of the adjacent sections 25 are aligned with each other. One of the passages 39 in one of the arcuate segments or portions 26 of one of the sections 25 is aligned with the passage 39 in one of the arcuate segments or portions 26 of each of the adjacent sections 25 while the other passage 39 is aligned with the passages 39 in a second of the arcuate segments 26 of each of the adjacent sections 25.

Rods 55 extend through the aligned passages 39 in the segments 26 of the sections 25. Thus, there are a total of six of the rods 55 when three of the arcuate segments or portions 26 are employed to form one of the sections 25.

The rods 55 pass through openings 56 in an end cap 57 at each end of the assembled sections 25 as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the two end caps 57 is formed with a dished central portion 58 to accommodate a rectangular shaped connector block 59 of the crankshaft 46 or 47 with which the end cap 57 cooperates. The connector block 59 not only has the throw or eccentric portion 48 connected to it and extending from one side thereof but also has an axle portion 60 secured thereto and extending from the opposite side thereof. The axle portion 60 is the axis of rotation of the wheels 15.

Each of the end caps 57 has a longitudinal bearing portion 61 extending from the dished central portion 58 to receive the axle portion 60 of the crankshaft 46 or 47 with which the end cap 57 cooperates. One of the end caps 57 is secured to the rods 55, which are threaded at each of their ends, by nuts 62.

The other of the end caps 57 also is secured to the rods 55 but utilizes spacers 63, nuts 64, nuts 65, and lock washers 66 to enable a sprocket 67 to be supported on the rods 55 in spaced relation to the end cap 57. The sprocket 67 is adapted to receive a chain to drive the pick-up reel therefrom in a manner more particularly shown and described in my copending patent application for Apparatus For Collecting Debris, Ser. No. 342,166, filed Mar. 16, 1973 now US. Pat. No. 3,849,824. Thus, whenever the compression roller or drum 16 rotates, the pick-up reel rotates.

In order that the end cap 57, which is secured to the rods 55 by the nuts 62, can abut against the arcuate segments 26 of the adjacent section 25, the segments 26 must not have the buttons 35, 38, and 41. The buttons 35, 38, and 41 arev removed from the three arcuate segments in any suitable manner such as sawing or machining, for example.

As the rods 55 pass through the passages 39, they are supported in the passages 42 in the buttons 41. At the end adjacent the end cap 57 bearing against the spacers 63, the passages 39 have filler plugs or bushings 68, which are formed of metal or plastic, in which the rods 55 are supported. The plugs 68 are tapered to insure a tight fit.

The axle portion 60 of each of the crankshafts 46 and 47 extends beyond the end of the bearing portion 61 of the end cap 57 as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the axle portions 60 has the bearing portion 61 of the end cap 57 rotatably supported thereon by bearings 70 and 71 disposed at opposite ends of the bearing portion 61.

The axle portion 60 of each of the crankshafts 46 and 47 has its end 72 (see FIG. 1), which extends beyond the end of the bearing portion 61 of the end cap 57, formed with two flats and threaded between the flats. The end 72 of the axle portion 60 of each of the crankshafts 46 and 47 has a timing disc 73 mounted thereon. The timing disc 73 has an opening 74 of the same shape as the end 72 so that there is a tight fit of the timing disc 73 on the axle portion 60 of each of the crankshafts 46 and 47. Thus, the timing disc 73 cannot rotate relative to the crankshaft 46 or 47 on which it is mounted.

The end 72 of each of the crankshafts 46 and 47 extends through an opening 75 (see FIG. 3) in each of the sides 14 of the frame 11. The size and shape of the opening 75 in each of the sides 14 of the frame 11 are such that the end 72 of each of the crankshafts 46 and 47 can be rotated to any position therein. As a result, the compression roller or drum 16 is rotatable to position the throw or eccentric portions 48 of the crankshafts 46 and 47 at any desired position relative to the housing 12. This adjustment of the angular position of the throw or eccentric portions 48 of the crankshafts 46 and 47 determines the locations of the maximum extension and maximum retraction of each of the blades 19 within the housing 12.

It is desired that the maximum retraction of each of the blades 19 occur prior to the blade 19 passing beneath a divider 76 (see FIG. 1) of the housing 12. Furthermore, it is desired for the maximum extension, which occurs 180 from maximum retraction, of each of the blades 19 to occur at a position within the housing 12 so that the debris is advanced through the compression chamber 18 by the blades 19 and compressed therein. The maximum extension of each of the blades 19 is preferably at about 25 before the blade 19 reaches a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the axle portion 60 of each of the crankshafts 46 and 47 during rotation of the blades 19. This is the relation shown in FIG. 1.

Each of the timing discs 73 has a pair of diametrically disposed arcuate slots 77 formed therein. Each of the slots 77 is aligned with an opening 78 (see FIG. 3) in the side 14 of the frame 11 so that a bolt 79 (see FIG. 1) can pass through each of the arcuate slots 77 and the opening 78 for cooperation with a nut 80 to lock the timing disc 73 in the position to which it is adjusted to obtain the desired locations of maximum extension and retraction of the blades 19.

The threaded end 72 of the axle portion 60 of each of the crankshafts 46 and 47 receives a nut 81 to lock the axle portion 60 of each of the crankshafts 46 and 47 to the frame 1 1. Thus, the crankshaft means 45 is fixed to the frame 11 of the debris collecting apparatus and cannot rotate.

Each of the wheels 15 is rotatably supported on the bearing portion 61 of one of the end caps 57 so that the wheels 15 can rotate relative to the compression roller or drum 16. Each of the wheels 15 has a pawl means (not shown) of the type more particularly shown and described in my aforesaid patent application, Ser. No. 268,064, for cooperation with a ratchet wheel (not shown), which is fixed to the bearing portion 61 of the end cap 57 by suitable means such as a key (not shown) being disposed in a keyway 85 in the bearing portion 61, for example. As described in my aforesaid patent application, Ser. No. 268,064, the pawl means is movable to a position in which it does not engage the ratchet wheel, to a position in which the compression roller or drum 16 rotates in one direction when the wheels 15 advance, or to a position in which the compression roller or drum 16 rotates in the opposite direction when the wheels 15 are moved rearwardly.

To assemble the compression roller or drum 16, one of the end caps 57 is mounted on a support fixture so that the bearing portion 61 of the end cap 57 extends downwardly in a vertical direction. The crankshaft 47 is then mounted within the end cap 57. Next, the rods 55, with the threaded nuts 62 secured thereto, are passed upwardly through the openings 56 in the end cap 57. The support fixture includes means to prevent the rods 55 from falling downwardly.

Then, the connector 49 is passed over the throw or eccentric portion 48 of the crankshaft 47. Next, the bearing 50 is slidably mounted over the connector 49. it should be understood that the rods 55 could be posi tioned in the end cap 57 after the bearing 50 is mounted rather than when previously described.

Then, the three arcuate segments or portions 26 of a first of the sections 25 are positioned on the rods 55. These segments 26 have the buttons 35, 38, and 41 removed as previously mentioned. A first set of the blades 19 is then mounted on the bearing 50 and disposed within the openings 20 between the arcuate segments 26.

The next of the sections has the arcuate segments 26 then mounted on the rods 55 and then the blades 19 for that section 25 are mounted on the bearing 50. As previously mentioned, the arcuate segments 26 of the adjacent sections 25 are offset or staggered with respect to each other.

This assembly continues until all of the sections 25 are supported on the rods 55 and all of the blades 19 are mounted on the bearing 50. Then, the throw or eccentric portion 48 of the crankshaft 46 is disposed within the connector 49, and the filler plugs 68 then are inserted in the passages 39 and on the rods 55. It should be understood that the filler plugs 68 could be inserted before the crankshaft 46 is mounted.

Next, the other of the end caps 57 is disposed on the rods 55 and over the axle portion 60 of the crankshaft 46. After the spacers 63 and the nuts 64 are mounted on the rods 55, the sprocket 67 is positioned over the rods 55 and secured thereto by the nuts 65. After the Sprocket 67 is secured in position, the compression drum or roller 16 is removed from its support fixture.

The compression roller or drum 16 is then mounted within the housing 12 so that the bearing portion 61 of each of the end caps 57 and the axle portion 60 of each of the crankshafts 46 and 47 extend through openings (not shown) in end plates (not shown) of the housing 12. The wheels 15 are next mounted on the bearing portion 61 of each of the end caps 57 and then the ratchet wheels are mounted on the bearing portion 61 of each of the end caps 57. Thereafter, the timing discs 73 are mounted on the end 72 of the axle portion 60 of each of the crankshafts 46 and 47.

The ends 72 of the axle portion 60 of the crankshafts 46 and 47 are inserted in the openings 75 in the sides 14 of the frame 11. Then, the compression roller or drum 16 has its position adjusted through rotation about the longitudinal axis of the axle portion'60 of the crankshafts 46 and 47 until the blades 19 have the desired locations of maximum extension and retraction. Then, each of the timing discs 73 is locked to the frame 11 by the bolts 79 and the nuts 80.

Whenever it is desired to adjust the positions of maximum extension and retraction of the blades 19 due to wear of the blades 19, for example, the nuts 80 and the nut 81 at each of the sides 14 are released so that the timing discs 73 can be rotated to rotate the compression roller or drum 16 about the longitudinal axis of the axle portions 60 of the crankshafts 46 and 47. Then, the nuts 80 and 81 are again tightened to lock the timing discs 73 in the desired position whereby the blades 19 of the compression roller or drum 16 have their maximum extension and retraction at the desired positions.

Considering the operation of the debris collecting apparatus 10, the proper engagement of the pawl means with the ratchet wheels, as described in my aforesaid patent application, Ser. No. 268,064, causes rotation of the compression roller or drum 16 to advance the debris through the compression chamber 18 to the discharge outlet 21 as the frame 11 is advanced. If the debris should become lodged within the housing 12, then each of the pawl means can be positioned with respect to the cooperating ratchet wheel so that rearward movement of the wheels 15 results in rotation of the compression roller or drum 16 in the opposite direction to dislodge the debris from the compression chamber 18. The pawl means also can be positioned, as described in my aforesaid application, Ser. No. 268,064, so that no rotation of the compression roller or drum 16 occurs when the wheels 15 rotate in either direction.

When each of the blades 19 moves into and out of the opening 20 in which it is disposed, the blade 19 rubs.

abainst one of the curved surfaces 29 of the arcuate segment or portion 26. As the blade 19 is retracted within the periphery of the compression drum or roller 16, the blade 19 wipes against the curved surface 29 of the leading arcuate segment or portion 26, as shown at 5 oclock in FIG. 1, to remove debris from the blade 19. Thus, the curved surface 29 functions as a bearing and wiping surface for the blade 19.

While the present invention has shown and described each set of the blades 19 as comprising three of the blades 19, it should be understood that any number of the blades 19 could be employed with each of the sections 25. It is only necessary that the number of the arcuate segments 26 forming each of the sections 25 be equal to the number of the blades 19 in each of the sets of the blades 19.

While the present invention has shown and described the blades 19 of each set being offset with respect to adjacent sets of the blades 19, it should be understood that such is not necessary if the number of the blades 19 in each set is increased. if the blades 19 were not offset, then the arcuate segments 26 also would not be offset with respect to the arcuate segments 26 of the adjacent sections 25.

An advantage of this invention is that the positions of maximum extension and retraction of debris advancing blades can be easily adjusted. Another advantage of this invention is that a relatively inexpensive assembly of a compression roller or drum is obtained.

For purposes for exemplification, a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described according to the best present understanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes and modifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereof may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A debris compression unit for use in a debris collecting apparatus including:

a rotatable hollow drum including a plurality of sections;

each of said sections having an outer circular configuration and a hollow center;

crankshaft means extending through said hollow drum, said crankshaft means being fixed during rotation of said drum; said crankshaft means having a plurality of blades supported thereon for extension beyond the periphery of said drum and retraction within the periphery of said drum during rotation of said drum;

each of said sections of said drum comprising a plurality of arcuate segments equal in number to the number of said blades supported on said crankshaft means at each of said sections, each of said arcuate segments of each of said sections being spaced from said arcuate segments adjacent thereto to form an opening therebetween to receive one of said blades for extension beyond the periphery of said drum and retraction within the periphery of said drum;

and means to secure said sections to each other to form said hollow drum.

2. The debris compression unit according to claim 1 in which each of said arcuate segments has means to cooperate with said blade to wipe said blade during its retraction within the periphery of said drum.

3. The debris compression unit according to claim 2 in which said arcuate segments of each of said sections are offset with respect to said arcuate segments of said sections adjacent thereto by an angular amount equal to one half of the angle between the adjacent of said blades at each of said sections.

4. The debris compression unit according to claim 3 in which:

each of said arcuate segments of each of said sections includes means cooperating with said arcuate segments of each of said sections adjacent thereto to interlock said arcuate segments of said adjacent sections to each other;

and said section securing means includes means extending through all of said arcuate segments of each of said sections.

5. The debris compression unit according to claim 4 in which: said crankshaft means includes 10 a pair of crankshafts; each of said crankshafts having a portion extending into said hollow drum from opposite ends thereof; means to hold said extending portions of said crankshafts in aligned relation; and bearing means surrounding said holding means to support said blades; and said section securing means includes means to retain each of said crankshafts in position. 6. The debris compression unit according to claim 5 in which said section securing means includes: an end cap at opposite ends of said sections; means passing through each of said end caps and each of said arcuate segments of each of said sections; and means to hold said passing means in position. 7. The debris compression unit according to claim 1 in which:

each of said arcuate segments of each of said sections includes means cooperating with said arcuate segments of each of said sections adjacent thereto to interlock said arcuate segments of said adjacent sections to each other; and said section securing means includes means extending through all of said arcuate segments of each of said sections. 8. The debris compression unit according to claim 7 in which: said crankshaft means includes:

a pair of crankshafts; each of said crankshafts having a portion extending into said hollow drum from opposite ends thereof; means to hold said extending portions of said crankshafts in aligned relation; and bearing means surrounding said holding means to support said blades; and said section securing means includes means to retain each of said crankshafts in position. 9. The debris compression unit according to claim 8 in which said securing means includes:

an end cap at opposite ends of said sections; means passing through each of said end caps and each of said arcuate segments of each of said sections; and means to hold said passing means in position. 10. In combination with the compression unit of claim 1:

a frame having wheels to support said frame; a housing supported by said frame; said drum being disposed within said housing to compress debris received within said housing; each end of said crankshaft means being supported by said frame; and means cooperating with each end of said crankshaft means and said frame to control the angular position of said crankshaft means relative to said frame to detennine the positions of maximum extension and retraction of each of said blades. 11. The combination according to claim 10 in which: said cooperating means includes:

a disc fixed to each end of said crankshaft means; an opening in each side of said frame to receive each end of said crankshaft means; and means to secure each of said discs to said frame in its desired position. 12. The combination according to claim 1 l in which: said securing means of said cooperating means includes: a pair of angular slots in each of said discs;

1 1 a pair of openings in each side of said frame; and means extending through each of said slots in each of said discs and said corresponding opening in said frame to lock each of said discs to said frame in the desired position. 13. A debris collecting apparatus including: a frame having wheels to support said frame; a housing supported by said frame; compression means disposed within said housing to compress debris received within said housing; and said compression means including:

a hollow cylindrical compression drum having a plurality of openings; a blade disposed within each of said openings; means supporting said blades and said drum to cause rotation of said drum and said blades and to move each of said blades during each cycle of rotation so that each of said blades is retracted inwardly within the periphery of said drum through said opening and extended outwardly beyond the peripphery of said drum through said opening; each end of said supporting means being supported by said frame; and means cooperating with each end of said supporting means and said frame to control the angular position of said supporting means relative to said frame to determine the positions of maximum extension and retraction of each of said blades. 14. The apparatus according to claim 13 in which: said cooperating means includes:

a disc fixed to each end of said supporting means; an opening in each side of said frame to receive each end of said supporting means; and means to secure each of said discs to said frame in its desired position.

12 15. The apparatus according to claim 14 in which: said securing means of said cooperating means includes: a pair of angular slots in each of said discs; a pair of openings in each side of said frame; and means extending through each of said slots in each of said discs and said corresponding opening in said frame to lock each of said discs to said frame in the desired position. 16. The apparatus according to claim 13 in which: said supporting means includes:

a throw portion on which each of said blades is supported; and an axle portion supported by said frame; and said cooperating means including means controlling the angular relation of said throw portion to the longitudinal axis of said axle portion. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16 in which: said cooperating means includes:

a disc fixed to each end of said axle portion of said supporting means; an opening in each side of said frame to receive each end of said axle portion of said supporting means; and means to secure each of said discs to said frame in its desired position. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17 in which: said disc securing means of said cooperating means includes: a pair of angular slots in each of said discs; a pair of openings in each side of said frame; and means extending through each of said slots in each of said discs and said corresponding opening in said frame to lock each of said discs to said frame in the desired position.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CQRRECTTQN Patent No. 5,926,108 Dated December 16, 1975 Inventor(s) Charles W Doering It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent Q and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 53, "passages" (second occurrence) should be --passage--. Q line 66, insert a --comma before "now".

Column 7, line 58, "it" should be -It Column 8, line 55, "abainst" should be ---against-- Q Column 9, line 5, "if" should be '--If--.,

Column '11, line 21, "peripphery" should be --periphery-.,

fiigned and $micd this- Q twenty-third 0F March 1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

Q RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner oj'Patenrs and Trademarks 

1. A debris compression unit for use in a debris collecting apparatus including: a rotatable hollow drum including a plurality of sections; each of said sections having an outer circular configuration and a hollow center; crankshaft means extending through said hollow drum, said crankshaft means being fixed during rotation of said drum; said crankshaft means having a plurality of blades supported thereon for extension beyond the periphery of said drum and retraction within the periphery of said drum during rotation of said drum; each of said sections of said drum comprising a plurality of arcuate segments equal in number to the number of said blades supported on said crankshaft means at each of said sections, each of said arcuate segments of each of said sections being spaced from said arcuate segments adjacent thereto to form an opening therebetween to receive one of said blades for extension beyond the periphery of said drum and retraction within the periphery of said drum; and means to secure said sections to each other to form said hollow drum.
 2. The debris compression unit according to claim 1 in whicH each of said arcuate segments has means to cooperate with said blade to wipe said blade during its retraction within the periphery of said drum.
 3. The debris compression unit according to claim 2 in which said arcuate segments of each of said sections are offset with respect to said arcuate segments of said sections adjacent thereto by an angular amount equal to one half of the angle between the adjacent of said blades at each of said sections.
 4. The debris compression unit according to claim 3 in which: each of said arcuate segments of each of said sections includes means cooperating with said arcuate segments of each of said sections adjacent thereto to interlock said arcuate segments of said adjacent sections to each other; and said section securing means includes means extending through all of said arcuate segments of each of said sections.
 5. The debris compression unit according to claim 4 in which: said crankshaft means includes: a pair of crankshafts; each of said crankshafts having a portion extending into said hollow drum from opposite ends thereof; means to hold said extending portions of said crankshafts in aligned relation; and bearing means surrounding said holding means to support said blades; and said section securing means includes means to retain each of said crankshafts in position.
 6. The debris compression unit according to claim 5 in which said section securing means includes: an end cap at opposite ends of said sections; means passing through each of said end caps and each of said arcuate segments of each of said sections; and means to hold said passing means in position.
 7. The debris compression unit according to claim 1 in which: each of said arcuate segments of each of said sections includes means cooperating with said arcuate segments of each of said sections adjacent thereto to interlock said arcuate segments of said adjacent sections to each other; and said section securing means includes means extending through all of said arcuate segments of each of said sections.
 8. The debris compression unit according to claim 7 in which: said crankshaft means includes: a pair of crankshafts; each of said crankshafts having a portion extending into said hollow drum from opposite ends thereof; means to hold said extending portions of said crankshafts in aligned relation; and bearing means surrounding said holding means to support said blades; and said section securing means includes means to retain each of said crankshafts in position.
 9. The debris compression unit according to claim 8 in which said securing means includes: an end cap at opposite ends of said sections; means passing through each of said end caps and each of said arcuate segments of each of said sections; and means to hold said passing means in position.
 10. In combination with the compression unit of claim 1: a frame having wheels to ssupport said frame; a housing supported by said frame; said drum being disposed within said housing to compress debris received within said housing; each end of said crankshaft means being supported by said frame; and means cooperating with each end of said crankshaft means and said frame to control the angular position of said crankshaft means relative to said frame to determine the positions of maximum extension and retraction of each of said blades.
 11. The combination according to claim 10 in which: said cooperating means includes: a disc fixed to each end of said crankshaft means; an opening in each side of said frame to receive each end of said crankshaft means; and means to secure each of said discs to said frame in its desired position.
 12. The combination according to claim 11 in which: said securing means of said cooperating means includes: a pair of angular slots in each of said discs; a pair of openings in each side of said frame; and means extending through each of said slots in each of said discs and said corresponding opening in said frame to lock each of said discs to said frame in the desired position.
 13. A debris collecting apparatus including: a frame having wheels to support said frame; a housing supported by said frame; compression means disposed within said housing to compress debris received within said housing; and said compression means including: a hollow cylindrical compression drum having a plurality of openings; a blade disposed within each of said openings; means supporting said blades and said drum to cause rotation of said drum and said blades and to move each of said blades during each cycle of rotation so that each of said blades is retracted inwardly within the periphery of said drum through said opening and extended outwardly beyond the peripphery of said drum through said opening; each end of said supporting means being supported by said frame; and means cooperating with each end of said supporting means and said frame to control the angular position of said supporting means relative to said frame to determine the positions of maximum extension and retraction of each of said blades.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13 in which: said cooperating means includes: a disc fixed to each end of said supporting means; an opening in each side of said frame to receive each end of said supporting means; and means to secure each of said discs to said frame in its desired position.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14 in which: said securing means of said cooperating means includes: a pair of angular slots in each of said discs; a pair of openings in each side of said frame; and means extending through each of said slots in each of said discs and said corresponding opening in said frame to lock each of said discs to said frame in the desired position.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 13 in which: said supporting means includes: a throw portion on which each of said blades is supported; and an axle portion supported by said frame; and said cooperating means including means controlling the angular relation of said throw portion to the longitudinal axis of said axle portion.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 16 in which: said cooperating means includes: a disc fixed to each end of said axle portion of said supporting means; an opening in each side of said frame to receive each end of said axle portion of said supporting means; and means to secure each of said discs to said frame in its desired position.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 17 in which: said disc securing means of said cooperating means includes: a pair of angular slots in each of said discs; a pair of openings in each side of said frame; and means extending through each of said slots in each of said discs and said corresponding opening in said frame to lock each of said discs to said frame in the desired position. 